I know.... the real McCoy is supposed to be from La Paz, Iloilo. Tried that too in Iloilo but I prefer this one from Bob's. Well, they've been in business since 1965, so they must know what they're doing.

Steaming, piping hot, with that egg floating almost obscenely atop the batchoy. Smells good, without a hint that the solid meat slices are actually innards that will wreak havoc to one's uric acid levels.

The first spoonful deserves a slurp. Ang sarap! ( Really delish!) Thought I couldn't finish a bowl, but I did. Good thing I restrained myself from ordering a siopao which the oldtimer waiter repeatedly reminded me is a specialty.

Can't go wrong eating here in Bob's along Lacson Street in Bacolod City. There were 4 of us ordering 2 siopaos, 2 batchoy, dinuguan and drinks. Bill: exactly 500 pesos!

The 2nd time around, we didn't miss ordering their signature fruit punch, burger and chicken binakol. The soupy dish is a sweet version of the chicken tinola.

And there's the baby back ribs for my apo. Paired with the orange calamansi shake which was slurped away before i got to take a photo of the cold drink.

All told, Bob's certainly deserved that 2nd visit in our 3 night stay in Bacolod.

As crunchy and crispy as it gets, CYMA's Roka Salata is tops! It's one salad my little elves (read: grandkids) would readily eat without any prodding. Not a single leaf remains in the bowl where it was served. Every leaf, sundried tomato and crunchy walnut is devoured.

It was 3 pm when my teen elf joined me for "snacks" here. She was thinking "salad and gyro" which sounded good.

By the time we were done with "snacks", we were up to our necks with food. We could hardly finish our mixed (chicken, beef and lamb) gyros. How we stuffed ourselves full!

But we miss those waiters happily shouting OPA as they serve the "flaming cheese". Between my teen elf and me, this flaming cheese is a dream. So the "snack" became a full meal of salad, gyros and flaming cheese.

I had reservations coming here. I was thinking ...... just another pizza, or pasta or risotto. But my niece and grandniece were both raving about it. So off we went one stormy evening while the rest of Manila experienced flashfloods.

"The place looks promising" ..... that's my second thought upon entering. Any place featuring stacks of wine bottles makes me think that. Then my niece and apo proceeded to suggest what's good for dinner.

Dracula Killer. This appetizer went well with the accompanying garlic bread. Good thing too that we were served complimentary bread slices which we promptly used to "wipe off" the garlic-infused olive oil on the serving plate.

The 2 pizzas we had were the Gorgonzola Pizza served with honey, and Margherita. Couldn't go wrong with those 2. The next table with a lone diner ordered steak With 3 glasses of wine. And I'm telling you, the aroma of sizzling steak made us lust for a 2nd dinner!

Instead, we shared a chicken mushroom risotto among 3 of us. Soooo goood! We soon forgot the steak sizzling at the next table and devoured the risotto in record time.

By the time we were done and ready for dessert, we hardly had any room. But we must try the garlic ice cream! After all, we needed to kill time and wait till the floodwaters recede ;-)

My favorites (read: repeat orders next visit) would easily be the Dracula Killer and Chicken Mushroom Risotto. My apo puts in a vote for her fav Margherita. So there. Mad For Garlic is near IHOP in 30th Street corner 9th Ave in Global City. Enjoy your garlic!

Never thought ordering a burger can be so complicated. In my time, one simply decided whether to keep the onions and pickles in a burger. But my apo (grandkid) decided lunch should be here.

You pick up an "Order Sheet" and decide, rather DESIGN, your burger. Which bread or bun? Going all meat or vegetarian? Yes, they do have mushrooms and tofu burgers! You want your burger on a bed of greens? Topped with more sinful bacons?

We were early when we got here. But the lunch crowd soon filled up the tiny space in Jupiter St. It's right beside Pino Resto Bar and Pipino Vegetarian Resto and maybe the 3 restos share the same owners because one can cross-order from any of the 3 dining places.

So next time you're searching where to eat along Jupiter Street and can't decide whether to go meaty or veggie, give this place a GO.

When IHOP opened at The Fort, it came as no surprise that lines snaked around the 30th Street corner 9th Avenue. Pinoys tend to overdo things. And Pinoy foodies and yuppies love having "been there, done that" ahead of many others.

My grandkids would have gone months before, but they knew better than dragging grandma to stand in line. Kept reminding them it's "no big deal", and it's likely "overhyped".

But ordering a pot of coffee (never empty!) is such a good deal for P125. So off we went one weekday midmorning for brunch. Just 3 of us. But 4 plates.

The kids couldn't make up their minds between pancakes or crepes, scrambled or sunny side up, but agreed on bacon and sausage links.

So, what's the verdict? I still think it's overhyped ..... But kids rule, remember? THEY LOVE IHOP. So there . . . . I concede.

For our first dinner, we searched for Yong Yang Center in Myeong dong area in Seoul. Yong Yang means "nutritional center" and they serve only 2 dishes: Ginseng Chicken Soup and Roast Chicken.

Yong Yang's Wild Ginseng Chicken Soup, locally known as samgyetang, has been around since the 1960s. There's chicken and rice in the soup , much like our arroz caldo. Then the roast chicken has crispy skin you'd likely think it's fried. Both served with 2 radish banchans.

Yong Yang is right beside Uniqlo in the Myeong-dong area of Seoul -- right smack in the shopping area!

Note: I overrate and the ginseng overload gave me a migraine?

The best foodie advice from a 15 year old! DONU Grill is very unpretentious and truly authentic in its Korea-ness. The entrance and frontage does not look much. In fact, you're bound to skip notice while strolling along Polaris Street near Makati Avenue.

But trust me, you won't miss Korea once you dine here. Nothing fancy. Just the usual menu of pork and beef grill or bulgogi and the bibimbap. There were more dishes ordered by Koreans in the next table, but i suspected they're very spicy!

We tried this dining cum entertainment place behind Mall of Asia. The side facing Manila Bay. The one-storey row includes many dining options but none compare with the entertainment to be found here.

Food variety suits the young crowd. Burgers, steaks, hotdogs, sausages, fries, salads. Nothing extraordinary. Plus brace yourself for all that cholesterol load.

If you're bringing kids with you and you don't mind all the transfat, try this cafe. The kids -- maybe even you -- can relate to the Transformers, Iron Man, Darth Vader, Powerpuff Girls, Peter Pan, Mario, etc.

Not a typical hotel. Not your regular hotel room. But the resto? It's where you go if you can't make up your mind on what to eat.

You may skip Makan Makan after a day in Manila Ocean Park, thinking it's expensive to dine here. WRONG. Big mistake! Fact is, i found the food items so reasonably-priced. Plus there's the variety. Much like entering an Asian Street Food Market.

I've tried dinner there where we ordered food from the different stalls and waited for them to be served in our chosen table. I've also tried the breakfast buffet which was truly a good assortment. Value for money indeed!

And once you're done eating your heart out, check out the Manila Bay sunset at the outside porch. Perfect with your coffee or tea. Or are we ordering a cold bottle of San Miguel?